Proof Of Life

I'm not a proud man ... or a man devoid of emotion. I'm just a man who believes that men have no business crying or showing their true feelings. That's why I was so disgusted with myself when I watched "Proof Of Life" (Russell Crowe, Meg Ryan, David Morse) for the first time last week, and found myself tearing up at the end. I don't want to spoil anything, so let's just say that Meg Ryan was reunited with her kidnapped husband (David Morse) at the end, and Russell Crowe (the negotiator) was forced to return to his old life and leave his soulmate (Meg Ryan) in a story of celebration and heartbreak. So anyway, I couldn't help but break down at the end, my heart going out to all three main characters, and I wondered if you could tell me if it's manly to cry -- just once in a while.

Don't worry... It's manly to cry. The only thing more manly is to punch yourself in your sissy face after you're done wetting yourself. However, I can identify. I remember a few months ago when my family ran out of paper towels. Something inside me knew, as I used the last one, that my world was about to come crashing down, but I refused to believe it. For two long days, I was forced to use kleenex and moldy washcloths to clean up incidental messes that screamed for something much more effective. When I finally had a chance to run to the store, it was almost too late. My body had begun to convulse and most of my internal organs had started decomposing as my heart longed for the disposable sturdiness that can only be found in paper towels. Fortunately, it wasn't until I arrived home with 48 rolls of the blessed product that the flood of emotions overcame me and I wept with joy and regret. I now keep 2 rolls of paper towels stored in a safe place should this disaster ever occur again, and I believe I'm a better man for having endured it once.

posted by Lawrence A. Fing @ 12:00 PM